Recognizing the importance of advancing workforce development initiatives, U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) introduced bipartisan legislation that would strengthen adult education programs and teach the skills needed to support today’s labor market.
“It’s critical that all Hoosiers have the tools necessary to succeed in the modern economy – and that starts with strengthening adult education,” Sen. Young said.
Sen. Young joined with U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) on Oct. 18 to introduce a bill that calls for nearly doubling the authorized funding for adult education by 2029 to $1.35 billion while making significant changes to the adult education system.
The bill, the Adult Education Workforce Opportunity and Reskilling for Knowledge and Success (WORKS) Act, S. 3075, would reauthorize adult education programs and expand upon the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The Adult Education WORKS Act would amend Title I and reauthorize Title II of the WIOA, which was signed into law in 2014. WIOA aims to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the workplace.
“Our bipartisan bill would bolster critical services for adult learners while also making important updates that ensure participants are prepared for the 21st-century workforce,” Sen. Young said.
The bill, if enacted, would emphasize digital and information literacy. It would also improve upon the role of adult education providers by ensuring representation in the workforce planning process, with a focus on college and career navigators in public libraries and community-based organizations, according to a summary of the bill.
“The Adult Education WORKS Act will help ensure that more Americans can access educational programs that will equip them with in-demand skills to take the opportunities that are available to them,” Sen. Reed said.
The measure, which is under consideration in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, is supported by the American Library Association (ALA), Coalition for Adult Basic Education (COABE), National Coalition for Literacy (NCL), National Skills Coalition, ProLiteracy, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), and TESOL International Association.